Assessing the USWNT Midfield: Rose Lavelle, Ashley Sanchez, and the Talent Pool for the 2023 Women’s World Cup
The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) enters the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with enormous expectations but faces uncertainty surrounding one of its most influential midfielders, Rose Lavelle. Having been a standout performer in the 2019 World Cup—most notably earning the Bronze Ball—Lavelle’s current fitness is a primary concern for US fans and coaches alike after her injury earlier this year. However, the emergence of Ashley Sanchez and the versatility of Savannah DeMelo have eased those worries. This analysis explores their individual attributes, how they compare, and why Lavelle’s absence may be less damaging to the USWNT’s campaign than anticipated.
Rose Lavelle: Injury Status and Impact
Rose Lavelle has cemented her role as a pivotal figure for both club and country, dazzling fans with her creative play and dynamism. Unfortunately, a setback occurred during an April friendly, sidelining her for several months. Since then, Lavelle’s participation in National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) fixtures has been minimal, leaving questions about her match fitness and readiness as the World Cup approaches. The USWNT staff now faces a critical decision: whether to gamble on Lavelle’s talent or seek alternatives if her recovery is incomplete.
Ashley Sanchez: Rising Star in the USWNT Midfield
Ashley Sanchez of the Washington Spirit is rapidly gaining attention as a midfielder with skills closely resembling Lavelle’s. While Sanchez lacks Lavelle’s extensive international experience and accolades, her technical prowess and vision make her an exciting choice for the US playmaking role. Sanchez’s ability to fill in seamlessly ensures that the US midfield can maintain its creativity and attacking threat, even in Lavelle’s absence.
Examining On-the-Ball Prowess: Lavelle, Sanchez, and DeMelo
The strength of the US midfield rests on creative, forward-thinking players who can dictate the tempo. Each midfielder brings unique characteristics:
– **Rose Lavelle** excels in receiving the ball on the half-turn and breaking lines with dynamic dribbling. Her agility with both feet, intelligence in possession, and ability to time her runs disrupt defending teams and often lead to decisive passes or goals.
– **Ashley Sanchez** mirrors many of Lavelle’s traits but with subtle differences. Sanchez’s dribbling involves lower body posture, allowing for quicker changes of direction. She often seeks to progress play through sharp lateral or forward passes, utilizing her tight control to distance herself from defenders.
– **Savannah DeMelo**, another key option, rounds out the trio with her impressive dribbling statistics—boasting a 55% dribble success rate in the NWSL. DeMelo’s ability to draw fouls (with 3.3 won per 90 minutes) and her composure under pressure make her a valuable creative outlet.
Together, these players give the USWNT diverse options for maintaining their trademark attacking momentum, regardless of who starts.
Off-the-Ball Intelligence and Movement
Lavelle’s influence is not limited to her ball skills; her off-the-ball work sets her apart. She excels at reading the game, moving into open spaces, and arriving late into the penalty area to finish scoring moves. Her awareness and timing, whether drifting between defenders or breaking into the box, pose constant problems for opponents.
Sanchez, while less explosive in transition, demonstrates comparable intelligence. She often positions herself near the striker, adjusting her runs to support teammates and exploit gaps as play unfolds. Her knack for scanning the field enables her to be in the right place for key passes or shooting opportunities.
DeMelo contributes a strong box-to-box presence and has closely matched Lavelle’s progressive runs over the last year, averaging 2.66 progressive carries per 90 minutes (just trailing Lavelle’s 2.70). This means the team’s ability to advance quickly from midfield is well covered.
Tactical Flexibility in the USWNT Midfield
The 2023 squad’s depth is a significant upgrade compared to past tournaments, particularly regarding players who can drive forward from central positions. While the likes of Lindsey Horan and Sam Mewis have set the standard for tempo and spatial awareness in previous years, Lavelle brought a different dimension with her dribbling and creativity. Now, with Sanchez and DeMelo available, the USWNT has reliable alternatives who can replicate much of that dynamic play and offer versatility to the team’s tactical approach.
Conclusion: USWNT Midfield Well-Equipped for the Challenge
Rose Lavelle’s fitness will remain a storyline throughout the tournament, but the development of players like Ashley Sanchez and Savannah DeMelo has ensured the USWNT does not lack creative spark or dynamism in midfield. All three midfielders bring unique qualities—be it Lavelle’s game-changing ability, Sanchez’s tight control and distribution, or DeMelo’s prowess in counter-attacking situations. The USWNT not only retains its tactical edge but arguably possesses the most versatile central options in international women’s soccer, positioning the team as a favorite for another deep World Cup run.
